Christmas during Covid times

SusanC10

Christmas is not that far away and things seem to be getting worse with the Virus.

What is realistic to expect?

Christmas Day itself won't be that different for us and I really want to make it special for the Kids.
We have been doing our own Christmas for years just the 4 of us.
Sometimes we have had friends over for Dinner on the day which won't happen this year.

But apart from the 25th, it is everything else that usually happens over the Holiday.
Meeting up with friends for dinner/drinks, going to a concert, shopping etc.
And visiting family. We usually spend NYE with my Mum. Highly unlikely to happen this year we feel. She is elderly with underlying conditions. She lives hours away.

Want to prepare for a different Christmas and manage the Kids' expectations really.

Thoughts ?

drunkmonkey

Not doing anything different, probably in the pub less other than that business as normal, can't see me starting to avoid family and friends.

Tbh this superbug in the hospitals that's actively killing makes covid look like Mary Poppins. Hospitals are in trouble.

SusanC10

Hadn't heard about Superbug.

jrosen

Staying home ourselves. Which we started last year. Im not sure if we will visit family. We usually stroll around town on xmas eve with the kids and go for some food but have booked somewhere local this year.

I work alot of the Christmas anyway so I suppose we have always had a regular low key xmas period anyway.

niallo27

Gettign pissed.

The_Brood

Since the government doesn't make a firm stance, either go with the Chinese or Swedish approach, and instead elects for endless quasi lockdowns and restrictions with no plan and no end in sight, say goodbye to a normal Christmas and many other things after it.

It's not simply the virus to blame, it's the actions of this failed government. Never ever forget this.

John O.Groats

niallo27 wrote: »

Getting pissed Spreading the virus.

FYP and your spelling mistake for good measure.

pc7

I don't really know, we'd usually do breakfast in a local restaurant with friends and their kids Christmas Eve, can't see that happening. We usually have both families over to us for dinner (too many households and people even at level 2), can't see that happening. Due to be away with another family for NYE in a hired house, can't see that happening. I know people will say just do it etc etc etc, but our parents are elderly so would be vulnerable I wouldn't want to put them at risk. I might see can we do one side Christmas day for dinner (well ventilated etc), the other side Stephens Day. Will just have to see what the next few weeks bring, we are all based in Dublin, kids are in school/creche so far so good.

freshpopcorn

They’d probably be more people spending Christmas at home this year instead of going out to families/restaurants. So, they’d probably be more of a demand for people buying turkeys, supplies, etc in the supermarkets. So, unless the supermarkets carter for this. Things may sell out of stock and people will put it down to people panic buying.
I think people will get sorted early and won’t be leaving things go to the last minute.
They’ll also be less people going on casual shopping trips.
Christmas markets, Santa’s, etc will be different.
Christmas parties, twelve pubs, etc will probably be cancelled or they’d be run on a small scale.

funnydoggy

There's a superbug?

GT89

Christmas is crap unless you are a child or have children. I wonder will be zoom work christmas parties and the like this year mind you.

TonyMaloney

I imagine NPHET are dreading Christmas.
Packed shops in the weeks leading up. People travelling home from all parts of the country. Pubs. Multiple households meeting up on the day itself.

Unless we can somehow get a handle on the virus over the next month or so, I reckon NPHET will have to make a really tough call and ask us all to pretty much give Christmas a miss this year.

SusanC10

pc7 wrote: »

I don't really know, we'd usually do breakfast in a local restaurant with friends and their kids Christmas Eve, can't see that happening. We usually have both families over to us for dinner (too many households and people even at level 2), can't see that happening. Due to be away with another family for NYE in a hired house, can't see that happening. I know people will say just do it etc etc etc, but our parents are elderly so would be vulnerable I wouldn't want to put them at risk. I might see can we do one side Christmas day for dinner (well ventilated etc), the other side Stephens Day. Will just have to see what the next few weeks bring, we are all based in Dublin, kids are in school/creche so far so good.

Yeah, we have talked about it and just can't see us going to Mum's. She is vulnerable and lives with my sister who has special needs and multiple underlying conditions too.
Usually another of my sisters spends Christmas with them and we do New Years. I worry that it will be just the 2 of them Christmas Day. One of my sisters lives abroad and won't be coming home and I don't know the plans of the sister who usually stays for Christmas.

Likely limiting contacts to close family members, no meeting friends in pubs etc, possibly no pub at all rather than every second day that is the norm at Christmas. No big deal for one year, still see family, can do all the drinking I want at home, less expectations to be going places so can relax more etc better than going around spreading the virus like some will.

Hurrache

I wouldn't be leaving out any cookies, milk, carrots or alcohol anyway. Don't want some bastard traipsing through my house touching everything
after visiting a bunch of plague monkeys before me. I'll leave the porch open and he can leave the good **** in there.

If you have Santa, I’d get it done now. Same with any presents you intend to buy.

Non perishable foodstuff could also be done now if the best before date allows.

I’m actually looking at outdoor Christmas decorations right now. Usually have a wreath on the door and that’s about it. As we’ll all have time on our hands not going out, we could go full on American and light the country up. What was the name of that film with Danny Devito where he wanted his lights to be seen from space?

TexasTornado

Won't be going around the houses as we usually do around Xmas. Won't be the same no doubt about it but it's a small price to pay for safety tbh.

Hulk Hands

There'll be advert after advert of Grandparents at home playing boardgames over skype with grandkids played to a soppy backing track with some puke worthy tag line such as "even apart, we're all closer than ever this Christmas"

robbiezero

I think we will be at a very important cross-roads at Christmas and the two weeks after it will be crucial and NPHET will be very concerned.

My Christmas will be very near normal. Visit Wifes family, visit my own family, few nights in the pub etc.

Hulk Hands

Hulk Hands wrote: »

There'll be advert after advert of Grandparents at home playing boardgames over skype with grandkids played to a soppy backing track with some puke worthy tag line such as "even apart, we're all closer than ever this Christmas"

Copyright that before John Lewis do

pc7

Strawberry Milkshake wrote: »

I’m actually looking at outdoor Christmas decorations right now. Usually have a wreath on the door and that’s about it. As we’ll all have time on our hands not going out, we could go full on American and light the country up. What was the name of that film with Danny Devito where he wanted his lights to be seen from space?

Ha ha same here, also have picked up a load of Halloween stuff to decorate the house and a few bits for the garden. Will try make it spooky for the smallies at least.

drunkmonkey

SusanC10 wrote: »

Hadn't heard about Superbug.

Yea was well buried in the news for the last few weeks..

CPE superbug being detected at record levels, says HSE
Ten hospitals currently have CPE outbreaks; superbug said to pose ‘existential threat’ to health service

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/cpe-superbug-being-detected-at-record-levels-says-hse-1.4368298

pc7

That's mental about that bug, you'd think with all the hand washing, etc. etc. it shouldn't be spreading. Bloody hell, feck off 2020!

GT89

robbiezero wrote: »

I think we will be at a very important cross-roads at Christmas and the two weeks after it will be crucial and NPHET will be very concerned.

My Christmas will be very near normal. Visit Wifes family, visit my own family, few nights in the pub etc.

They have been literally saying the next two weeks are critical since mid March

Mongfinder General

I'm all for level 5 restrictions during Christmas week.

Irish Aris

I always travel home (the original home) to Greece and spend Christmas with my parents and sister.
I reckon it will depend on whether there will be any flights happening that would allow me to get home.
I will just have to wait until early December before making any plans but we all prepare for the possibility that we might have to spend Christmas separately this year. . .

Will that leave you on your lonesome, Aris?

PommieBast

Christmas is basically written off this year. Probably do family lunch with extended family but that'll be about it. Parties with open bars won't be happening.


The loss of the xmas trade is going to finish off a lot of businesses.

drunkmonkey

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Not doing anything different, probably in the pub less other than that business as normal, can't see me starting to avoid family and friends.

Tbh this superbug in the hospitals that's actively killing makes covid look like Mary Poppins. Hospitals are in trouble.

Are you satisfied that the test they are using to detect the superbug is accurate?

Irish Aris

Strawberry Milkshake wrote: »

Will that leave you on your lonesome, Aris?

Yes Strawbs.
I'm not thinking so much about myself - more about my parents, not sure how easily they would cope not having me there.

I'm hopeful that flights will be available, it will be mostly whether I would find a combination of flights to get me there and back.
I'm actually in Greece at the moment visiting my family in case we don't meet for Christmas. I flew direct and paid extra for business class so I wouldn't have anyone sitting near me (and I thought the whole experience was quiet safe) and I don't mind paying extra again to have the same safe flight.

We'll see anyway, thank you for asking!!

Mars Bar

If I could just get as fas as Ireland and be with my family (Also must hope my sister will get back to Ireland) then I'll be more than thankful. Nothing under the tree please. I just want to see it with my own eyes and hug the family!

I reckon a lot less pub for us. Mam is a barperson but they are a "wet pub" so not likely they'll be open? I'll miss the footy with my friends on Stephen's Day and the following day. It's usually just the 4 of us and Dad often works some hours on Christmas Day.

charlietheminxx

My boss asked me to book a Christmas party for our team (about 10 people), nothing fancy but a meal and drinks.... it's 100% not going to happen. I've tried explaining but I think like a lot of people, he's hanging on the hope that things will be normal by Christmas

pc7

charlietheminxx wrote: »

My boss asked me to book a Christmas party for our team (about 10 people), nothing fancy but a meal and drinks.... it's 100% not going to happen. I've tried explaining but I think like a lot of people, he's hanging on the hope that things will be normal by Christmas

Yeah even under level two I think it’s 6 max is it?

Christmas is cancelled in my house this year, due to my mother's passing from Covid19.

Its tradition in my family that christmas cards etc, are not sent the year of the death of an immediate family member as a mark of respect.

No small children, so just another day.

funnydoggy

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Yea was well buried in the news for the last few weeks..

CPE superbug being detected at record levels, says HSE
Ten hospitals currently have CPE outbreaks; superbug said to pose ‘existential threat’ to health service

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/cpe-superbug-being-detected-at-record-levels-says-hse-1.4368298

Ah jaysus.

SusanC10

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Christmas is cancelled in my house this year, due to my mother's passing from Covid19.

Its tradition in my family that christmas cards etc, are not sent the year of the death of an immediate family member as a mark of respect.

No small children, so just another day.

Condolences Loueze on the death of your Mum. Will be a difficult Christmas.

charlietheminxx

pc7 wrote: »

Yeah even under level two I think it’s 6 max is it?

Yeah and at that, it's 6 people from 3 households. So it's not going to happen. I saw some venues are taking bookings anyway, but I'm sort of "forgetting" to do it because I know most of the team don't want to do it this year anyway. I've suggested an alternative plan, but sure we will see how the next few weeks pan out.

robbiezero

GT89 wrote: »

They have been literally saying the next two weeks are critical since mid March

Yep and they wonder why people aren't really getting the message now.

charlietheminxx

Deleted User wrote: »

Christmas is cancelled in my house this year, due to my mother's passing from Covid19.

Its tradition in my family that christmas cards etc, are not sent the year of the death of an immediate family member as a mark of respect.

No small children, so just another day.

I'm really sorry for your loss, that's very sad.

circadian

Once I became an adult and worked in retail I came to hate Christmas. Now I've got little ones and have spent the year buying as much hot wheels tracks as possible. Something I always wanted at their age but never got so hopefully we'll have a few days of planning and building a massive racetrack together.

Would love to head north to see my ma but will have to see how things are closer to the time. I think we'd be alright anyway since we're all staying home as much as possible and generally avoiding other people 99% of the time. Any time we've visited its been discussed about the risks and if a visit is worth it, none of this "sure it'll be grand" lark.

prunudo

Could be a year to be thankful of the smaller things in life. Not to get caught up in the pressures of what Christmas has become. Might be a good opportunity to spend time with close family enjoying our health and what we have.

Thank you to those who expressed condolences.

I don't mean to be downer, but maybe this christmas will be a little less commercial, a little less centered around the pubs and drinking culture, and a lot more family orientated. No harm, in my view, to get back to a few basics.

Forgo the work and house parties and go see your elderly family members, is my view. Appreciate them while you have them because you never know the day or the hour.

bladespin

niallo27 wrote: »

Gettign pissed.

Enjoy, have a merry one.

John O.Groats wrote: »

FYP and your spelling mistake for good measure.

It's very possible to do that without spreading the virus btw.

For us I can't really see our celebrations being much affected really, kids are (just) still santa age but not really interested in going to see him anymore etc, we'd normally do a night out with close friends for dinner and drinks, probably will again this year as it's not a huge group and we're in regular contact anyway, we don't do a lot of visiting other than the grandparents.

Shopping wise, we try to get it done early anyway, already started, hopefully Black Friday will see that done.

Hate the work parties so normally find an excuse, good one this year lol.

krissovo

Deleted User wrote: »

Thank you to those who expressed condolences.

I don't mean to be downer, but maybe this christmas will be a little less commercial, a little less centered around the pubs and drinking culture, and a lot more family orientated.

This our plan, told the kids already that Christmas will be about enjoying our own close family, nice food, group activities rather than the loads of presents they usually get. In our area lots of family’s are on PUP payments so most of our community have agreed to to focus in other areas so children who cant get much do not feel left out.

I have not seen my mum, dad, brother & sister in over a year now, we had center Parcs in the UK booked for Christmas for all of us to get together but that has been cancelled.

freshpopcorn

Some will go all out about family but visits may be difficult.
However people will use it as an excuse to get out of visiting people they don’t want to see as well.

John_Rambo

Hopefully have the elderly folks over for dinner. Avoiding them altogether now. Too risky.

pc7

pc7 wrote: »

Ha ha same here, also have picked up a load of Halloween stuff to decorate the house and a few bits for the garden. Will try make it spooky for the smallies at least.

I’m gonna invest in a few of these bucks as a defence against Covid.

JoeA3

Very near normal for me I expect.

Those that want to hide behind their Christmas tree can do so.

DSN

prunudo wrote: »

Could be a year to be thankful of the smaller things in life. Not to get caught up in the pressures of what Christmas has become. Might be a good opportunity to spend time with close family enjoying our health and what we have.

Good sentiment, we will certainly be doing that with those we live not too far from & will never leave my Mum alone again that cocooners thing is just cruel. We & our kids really missing their GPs in UK & I swear if I see an ad about grandparents & zoom 'together but apart' for Christmas I will literally go mental. While people say 'Christmas is just another day' its not really, it can be a really really tough time for people esp. those alone &/or those who have lost someone & they need the comfort of people around them.

drunkmonkey

Deleted User wrote: »

Are you satisfied that the test they are using to detect the superbug is accurate?

I don't care they never restrict our freedoms because of one. I'll take my chances with Covid over a Superbug any day.
Anyways as you were it's not the thread for it.

Beasty

funnydoggy wrote: »

There's a superbug?

It's the superest of them all.

I think we should postpone Christmas until next year and re-use this year's calendars. Those born on 29 February will be able to celebrate an extra birthday. The millenium bug will re-emerge as the decade bug as computers struggle to make the transition from 31/12/2020 to 01/01/2020. In fact it will become known as the superest decade bug ever

I know this is something the Donald is secretly planning for. This year's Presidential election will either be the superest election of all time, or the one that gets reinstated in November 2020 part II with the Donald staying in power until the end of 2020 part II. He will be a little confused by that and will start his campaign with the slogan "11 more years"